University of Virginia Library

We arrived in Charlottesville Wednesday night about
eleven oclock. it was one of the warmest days we ever felt. we
also suffered very much with heat until it began ot rain when we
felt as if we were in another climate. The Baby stood the journey
very well indeed she was one of the best little things I ever saw
cried but very little only when she wanted changing, she could not
be attended too as often as was necessary on account of some
strange Gentlemen sitting on the same bench with Cousin Margaret.
The coach we were came over in had 12 or 14 passengers inside and
out. There was nine inside with the Baby. one Large Man that counted
for two that sat on the same Seat with Mrs. Stevens. We remained
in Staunton until two I thought surely while there that we would
burn up. it was so warm. Cousin Margaret and I had, the night we
got to this place had to stay at the Hotel, which is very near the
Depot. we could get no conveyance, she was afraid to walk. it very
muddy & damp, so we did not see William until the next morning. he
looks very Holloweyed this morning, but says he is better and
wishes to start home next week, but he will not be able I am sure.
he sat up twice on yesterday, and said he felt almost well. The
weather being so extremely Hot that it is enough to make any one
sick. he complains of his Breathing not being very good this morning
that is mostly all he complains of now, he has not fallen off
a great deal I think. "What do you think" Cousin Margaret Lucy and
Harry had the greatest time a vomiting yesterday I ever saw all
three sick at once they had the cholera morbus in its worst form.
The Doctor happened here at the time, he gave them opiates and
they seemed to give no relief, and then he gave them calomel pills
which gave Lucy great ease, but Cousin Margaret is still complaining
this morning of sickness at her stomache and great weakness.
I dont wonder after vomiting as much as she did, it was no wonder
she was made sick, she rode backwards from Staunton here, and then
those that were sick all eat fresh meat and cucumbers in Staunton.
The Dr. said it was that made them sick, for my part I eat a few
Cucumbers peas & beef. I felt very sick when I got out of the cars
here. I got along very well until night came on then my stomache
was turned upside down. I hope by evening that Cousin M will be
entirely well. The Dr says that she is very Bilious indeed, ought
to have taken Medicine long ago, Lucy was well enough this morning
to walk down to town with Sallie, rather imprudent in her after
being so sick on Yesterday. It look right funny to see first one
& then the other go to the Bucket to vomit, it made the rest sick
to see them, such a time I never saw. I was very sorry to find
that Mary had gone home, she left last week and said she would
come back in a short time. Sallie says she looks very much distressed
and talks all the while about poor Rush, poor creature how
sad her heart must be. I saw Mr. Rodes on Yesterday he told me she
was very anxious to over with him, but he thinks she had better
wait a little while longer. I dont auppose he will give his consent
to take her this time he will be there at Court which is

next Monday, he said he would send her into see us any time she
wished to come. I have not seen any of Cousin Gessners family yet.
sent your letter by Mr Rodes to him on Yesterday. I hope some one
of them will come dwon to-day. Cousin Eliza is very anxious for
Mary to let her have Lucy to nurse, but Mr Rodes is unwilling to
give her up, as Rush give her to her before he died. I do think
they ought by all means to let her have her, I should not think
that Betties milk would be very good for her, her child being so
old. Sallie is complaining some, but looks fat & Hearty. William
said yesterday he intended writing to you that he and the Baby
were the only ones about. I think he would have messed it a little,
I do hope that Aunt Polly will get better every day, and will be
well by the time we go home. You must certainly excuse this badly
written letter, for I am in a hurry to finish it to send it to
the post office in time to have it sent by to-days mail. Bro.
Bailey is here, tell Sister Wheelright that I have not fallen in
Love with him as yet. I am glad that he does not know that I am
the girl that she wrote to him about. Oh but he is homely, but
dont tell her I said so. Maybe she mought tell him. They all send
much Love to you all. Tell Mrs Stevens I know she wants to see
Miss Willie. Write soon some one of you.